as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bystanders
Nobody else at or near the scene, including the two friends the girl was with, plus bystanders who witnessed the gunman flee, pointed the finger at Ruiz.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Moriarty said officers grabbed her by the neck, shoved her in a vehicle, and then got angry at other bystanders.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Several bystanders stopped to help Corrigan at the scene, with one person applying pressure to his wounds until first responders arrived, according to the report.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Swimming through Lake Mission Viejo and riding and running through the city’s streets, the athletes covered miles with supporters and curious bystanders cheering them on.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Video obtained by police from bystanders showed a black Mercedes driving on College Street that appeared to intentionally drive at people standing on the sidewalk, according to police.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Police gave bystanders little information, telling them there was an active shooter and to avoid the area.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The victim was able to escape to a nearby gas station, where bystanders called 911, according to the release.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Moriarty said officers grabbed her by the neck, shoved her in a vehicle, and then got angry at other bystanders.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Several bystanders stopped to help Corrigan at the scene, with one person applying pressure to his wounds until first responders arrived, according to the report.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Swimming through Lake Mission Viejo and riding and running through the city’s streets, the athletes covered miles with supporters and curious bystanders cheering them on.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Video obtained by police from bystanders showed a black Mercedes driving on College Street that appeared to intentionally drive at people standing on the sidewalk, according to police.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Police gave bystanders little information, telling them there was an active shooter and to avoid the area.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The victim was able to escape to a nearby gas station, where bystanders called 911, according to the release.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
-
Five women were injured overnight Sunday in a shooting near Indiana University following its annual Little 500 races which brings about alums and large crowds of spectators.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Participants controlled their robots during the games and events, while spectators watched from the stands and high school robotics teams clustered near the walls, completing repairs or putting finishing touches on their entries.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Vrabel balancing those two things may prove challenging because, as NFL observers are noting, he's tried balancing acts in the past.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For some observers, the lesson from Hungary is that Netanyahu’s opponents should look to his own camp for a candidate to unseat him.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Monday’s show, our Dolphins writers answer viewers’ questions and weigh in on how well the team addressed its positions of need.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Jim McKay, who had done it for years, took viewers through the likely race scenarios.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
